The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-02-25

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Centered on Economy

Prime-minister Kostas Karamanlis chairs a meeting of the Inner Cabinet focused on the economy, to be held in the Parliament, at 12:00 on Wednesday. Referring to the meeting, government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros said that a briefing of Ministers and undersecretaries on new data was necessary as new impacts from the financial crisis are continuously emerging preoccupying all governments. He also added that a new extraordinary Summit meeting is to be held at the weekend. In parallel, there is high concern on bank investments in eastern European countries.

Greek banks have invested about 55 billion euros in eastern European countries, however, the governor of the Bank of Greece George Probopoulos believes that they have sufficient capital to withstand deterioration of the situation. On its part, the government has already warned banks to avoid using the 28 billion euros rescue package to support their branches in the Balkans. In parallel, it has ruled out nationalization practice. Meanwhile, Finance undersecretary Antonis Bezas made clear that there would be no extension for the settlement of overdue debts to tax offices while Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis announced strict inspections to combat illicit profiteering in the fuel market, warning that he himself would call consumers to join boycott.

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News item: 19376

[02] Challenges and Opportunities in the New Digital Era

Digital TV and digital radio broadcasting constitutes the challenge so that all everywhere and every time can have access to it.

The transition to digital technology, which has been approved by the European Parliament, will take place within a specific period.

The digital signal will bring about the digital dividend, which will be used for a series of novel, mainly broadband applications and services.

The basic benefits that result from the digital picture concern primarily its quality, better quality and cheaper monitors.

The National Committee of Telecommunications and Post Commission has declared 2009 "Year of Broadband Convergence of Telecommunications and the Mass Media".

EETT President's Speech

During his speech, EETT President and Professor Nikital Alexandridis stressed with emphasis that an institutional framework is necessary. This will have to determine the terms under which suppliers will be broadcasting the digital signal and at the same time see that no mistakes take place during the transitional period.

Mr Alexandridis presented his proposals for a smooth transition to the digital era, which has been by the EU for 2012. The transition to digital technology will create the so-called digital dividend, that is, a range of frequencies that will be released in digital programmes.

Amongst others he stressed that the conventional issuing of permits to be by-passed and emphasis to be placed on digital Radio and TV, a national strategy on the released spectrum to be set up and a coordinating body be set up so that the Greek and Community legislation to be harmonized.

Mr Alexandridis declared 2009 "Year of Broadband Convergence of Telecommunications and the Mass Media".

Mr Stylianidis' Speech

The main speaker at the meeting was Transport and Communications Minister Evripidis Stylianidis, who stressed that the challenges and opportunities in the Digital Era are not only interesting, but also signals the transition to the future, to a new world that is emerging. He added that most EU member-states will adopt digital TV, at a time when the European Commission is processing a joint use of spectrum of frequencies that will be released during the digital transition.

He stressed that Greece had prepared itself for that stage at a technical and legal level. At the same time there is a completed technical study that includes 23 centres that will be sending digital TV signals and which will be covering 78% of Greece's population, offering six to eight groups of programmes in each part of Greece.

He also reported that the Transport and Communications Ministry's strategy is to secure the conditions that will constitute digital technology accessible to all citizens and with the utilization and development of new technologies people across Greece will be able to enjoy a broad spectrum of services that will include amongst others tele-medicine and tele-education.

Kat. Batzeli's Speech

PASOK (Socialists) spokesman and Euro deputy Katerina Batzeli addressed the meeting. Ms Batzeli is President of the Culture Committee, Education and audiovisual means of the Euro Parliament.

Ms Batzeli described the transition to digital TV a revolution as it will offer citizens a better quality of services and access to new services.

"Within the crisis that is bedeviling the world economy, the transition to the digital era constitutes an important opportunity for new investments and the boosting of employment," stressed Ms Batzeli.

News item: 19356

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